Here are answers to common questions about Musio and Kontakt, including differences between the two platforms:
Are the libraries in Musio the same as in Kontakt?
While Kontakt and Musio are separate platforms, virtually all of the classic Cinesamples libraries are available in both. There are only a small handful of differences in performance scripts, mapping preferences, and patch naming and these occasional small changes are virtually all intentional and we believe will make for a better collection as a whole. However, the core sounds, including dynamic layers, round robins, and articulations, remain identical and soon mic positions will be as well.
Musio also includes over 30 exclusive libraries not available in Kontakt, with more content being added regularly. Some collections even have expanded articulations in Musio compared to their Kontakt versions (e.g., CineHarp FX patches and all of the CineStrings Core Ensemble patches).
You can try Musio for 30 days free by visiting musio.com, and clicking "Try it free" in the top right corner, no payment info required. It’s a great way to compare and see how the libraries feel and sound to you.
Do the Musio libraries contain the exact same instruments and articulations as their Kontakt counterparts?
Yes, virtually all instruments and articulations are present in Musio. All of the same dynamic layers, and round robins are represented, and soon mic positions will be as well. In rare cases, certain features, like the Phrase Builder in Voxos, are not yet available but may be added in future updates.
Do I need Kontakt to use Musio?
No, Musio is a completely separate plugin and does not require Kontakt. Likewise, Kontakt cannot play Musio libraries. Each platform operates independently, and users can choose the best option for their workflow.
Is there a difference in sound quality between Kontakt and Musio libraries?
The core recordings remain the same, so the overall sound quality is identical. However, some Musio libraries have undergone improvements in tuning, timing, and normalization for better consistency, which may result in subtle positive differences in performance.
Does Musio include all of the Cinesamples libraries?
Yes, Musio features all of the classic Cinesamples libraries (other than Deep Percussion Beds due to it needing tempo sync) along with over 30 new libraries exclusive to Musio. New instruments are added to Musio often so future releases will continue to expand its offerings.
Is there a discount for Musio if I already own Cinesamples Kontakt libraries?
While we deeply appreciate your support, currently, no discounts are offered for Musio based on previous Kontakt library purchases. This is because Musio and Kontakt are separate platforms, and while they share content, they serve different purposes and workflows.
Does Musio have NKS integration?
Not at this time. Musio is a standalone platform, whereas Cinesamples’ Kontakt libraries are fully NKS-compatible. However, we appreciate the request and will consider this for the future.
Will Cinesamples Kontakt libraries continue to receive updates?
Cinesamples continues to support its Kontakt libraries to the best of its ability and most of our Kontakt users are still using those libraries with no issue. However, because these libraries were developed over many years by different teams, making major updates is complex, costly and time-consuming.
Musio was created to solve these challenges. Unlike Kontakt libraries, which require extensive coordination, effort, and cost for updates, Musio gives us full control, allowing us to release improvements and fixes more efficiently. While we will continue addressing Kontakt-related support issues, our primary focus moving forward is on developing and expanding Musio.
Try Musio Free for 30 Days
If you’d like to compare libraries yourself, you can try Musio free for 30 days—no payment information required. Click here and click “Try It Free” in the top right corner to get started.
Need Help?
For assistance or any other questions, contact our Support Team at support@musio.com. We’re happy to help!